The amount of heat flowing toward the base of the West Antarctic ice sheet from geothermal sources deep within the Earth is surprisingly high, according to a new study led by UC Santa Cruz researchers. The results provide important data for researchers trying to predict the fate of the ice sheet, which has experienced rapid melting over the past decade. This geothermal heating contributes to melting of basal ice, which supplies water to a network of subglacial lakes and wetland. Warm geothermal conditions may help to drive fluid flow that delivers heat, carbon, and nutrients to these communities.